Pakistan at UN calls Israel’s recognition of Somaliland a “direct assault” on Somalia’s sovereignty

Pakistan has strongly condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland at the United Nations Security Council, calling it a “direct assault” on Somalia’s sovereignty, as several member states warned that the move could destabilize the Horn of Africa and violate international law.

Pakistan’s acting permanent representative to the UN, Muhammad Usama Iqbal Jadoon, said the recognition constitutes a “flagrant violation of international law” and urged the Security Council to reject all actions that undermine the unity and territorial integrity of Somalia.

“Any action that diverts attention, weakens cohesion or fuels division is deeply irresponsible,” Jadoon said, adding that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands has been a central source of instability in the Middle East for decades. “It is now exporting this destabilizing behavior to the Horn of Africa.”

On December 26, Israel became the first country to formally recognize the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland as an independent, sovereign state, a decision that could reshape regional dynamics and test Somalia’s long-standing opposition to secession.

The foreign ministers of more than 20 Muslim-majority countries issued a joint statement on Sunday, rejecting Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.

In his comments, Jadoon highlighted the worrying nature of Israel’s actions, stating: “In the context of Israel’s previous references to the Federal Republic of Somalia’s ‘Somaliland’ as a destination for the deportation of the Palestinian people, especially from Gaza, its illegal recognition of the ‘Somaliland’ region is deeply worrying.”

Reports had emerged in March that the United States and Israel had approached officials in Sudan, Somalia and Somaliland to explore using their territories as potential destinations for the forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza.

Jadoon emphasized: “For decades, Israel’s dispossession and occupation of Palestinian lands has been a central source of instability and conflict in the Middle East. It is now exporting this destabilizing behavior to the Horn of Africa, with serious implications for regional peace and security.”

Read: More than 20 Muslim countries condemn Israel’s recognition of Somaliland

He also made clear that Pakistan “unequivocally rejected any proposal or plan aimed at the forced displacement of Palestinians,” noting that an earlier UN Security Council resolution endorsing US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan explicitly stated that “no one will be forced to leave Gaza.”

Israel’s announcement sparked widespread regional and international criticism, with statements issued by Egypt, Jordan, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, along with a collective statement from 20 Middle East and African nations rejecting and condemning the move. Regional bodies and partners, including the League of Arab States, the East African Community, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the European Union, highlighted the importance of respecting the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.

Somalia’s representative strongly condemned Israel’s “blatant attack” on his country’s unity and territorial integrity through its recognition of “so-called ‘Somaliland’, which is legally incapable of entering into any agreement or agreement with another country.” He stressed that any such alleged agreement is “null and void” and constitutes a direct violation of the United Nations Charter, the fundamental principles of the African Union and international law.

Denmark’s representative warned against setting a “dangerous precedent” that could further inflame tensions in the Horn of Africa, and emphasized that any resolution of Somaliland’s international status must occur within the framework of Somalia’s legal and constitutional order.

The UK delegate noted that “Al-Shabaab and other terrorist groups benefit from internal divisions in Somalia.” The representative of France stressed the importance of avoiding any measure that could “compromise peace and security” in Somalia, the Horn of Africa or the Gulf of Aden.

China’s delegate stated that “Somaliland is an integral part of Somali territory” and opposed any attempt to divide the country, describing the issue as “entirely internal affairs of Somalia” to be resolved by the Somali people.

Read more: Houthi leader says Israeli presence in Somaliland will be considered “military objective”

The representative of the Russian Federation emphasized that Somalia’s internal disputes must be resolved “on the basis of an inclusive national dialogue without any external interference.”

However, US Representative Tammy Bruce expressed support for Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, stating that it “has the same right to maintain diplomatic relations as any other sovereign state.” He recalled that at the beginning of 2025, several countries unilaterally recognized a “non-existent Palestinian state”, and noted that “no emergency meeting was called to express the indignation of this Council.”

He added: “This Council’s persistent double standards and misdirection distract from its mission of maintaining international peace and security.” However, he clarified that “we do not have any announcement to make regarding the recognition of Somaliland by the United States and there has been no change in US policy.”

Israel’s delegate emphasized that his country’s recognition is “neither provocative nor novel,” describing it as “a legitimate and principled recognition of a long-established reality, consistent with international law and aligned with the values ​​that this Council must defend.” He further stated that the recognition “is not an act of defiance” but “an opportunity” to provide clarity, foster accountability and strengthen stability in the Horn of Africa.

Somalia’s representative Abukar Dahir Osman strongly condemned the comments and said it was outrageous that a delegate was “lecturing us today” while Israel is “deliberately starving” Gaza and has killed more than 70,000 civilians, including children, women and the elderly. He stated that Somalia is “one country, one people, one religion”, united in its fight for independence and in the fight against terrorism in the Horn of Africa.